The NBA and the broader basketball community is mourning the loss of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, who passed at the age of 46 on Wednesday. Milojevic has worked with Golden State for the past few seasons but has served as a coach and consultant elsewhere in the NBA as well as overseas in his native Serbia and in Montenegro.
Prior to taking on the visiting San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about Milojevic’s passing. Mazzulla offered his condolences and spoke about how tragic moments like this can help keep things in perspective.
“First,” Mazzulla began. “I’m just praying for him, his family, and the Warriors.”
“We were sitting here with a lot of our staff members when we got the news watching film today, and it just puts things in perspective that it could all be gone any second.”
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Following Milojevic’s passing, Golden State’s game against the Utah Jazz was postponed. The Celtics held a moment of silence before Wednesday’s game as well, and the entire league and basketball community spent the day mourning and reflecting.
“As important as this job is, and as serious as it is, and how people think it’s life and death all the time, it’s really not. “Mazzulla said. “It’s just a really fun opportunity and something that we get to do.”
“But when something like this happens,” Mazzulla continued. “It’s scary. And I think it puts things in a ton of perspective. You have to value the time and the relationships and the opportunity that we get because we don’t know how long you’ll be afforded.”
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Mazzulla explained how the news of Milojevic’s passing kept him thinking about his own loved ones.
“I was definitely just really hurt.” Mazzull said “As a coach, just even thinking something like that could happen to one of your coaches, players, friends families. It’s tough.”
Celtics Wire joins Mazzulla in offering our condolences to Milojevic’s family and friends.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 17, 2024
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